PTE Score Calculator
Calculate your overall PTE Academic score and see equivalent IELTS and CEFR levels. Understand what your results mean for university admissions and immigration applications.
Calculate Your PTE Score Calculator
Communicative Skills
Enabling Skills (Optional)
What is PTE Academic?
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) is a computer-based English language test designed to assess the readiness of non-native English speakers to participate in university-level English language environments. It is recognized by thousands of academic programs worldwide and increasingly accepted for visa and immigration purposes.
PTE Scoring System
The PTE Academic test provides scores for both communicative skills and enabling skills on a scale of 10-90 points:
Communicative Skills
- Listening: Your ability to understand spoken English in academic environments
- Reading: Your ability to understand written English in academic environments
- Speaking: Your ability to communicate verbally in English
- Writing: Your ability to write effectively in English for academic purposes
Enabling Skills
- Grammar: Accuracy and range of grammatical structures
- Oral Fluency: Smooth, natural rate of speech
- Pronunciation: Production of speech sounds in a way that is easily understood
- Spelling: Accurate spelling of words
- Vocabulary: Range and precision of word usage
- Written Discourse: Organization and coherence of writing
How is the Overall Score Calculated?
The overall score in PTE Academic is calculated as the average of the four communicative skills scores (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing), rounded to the nearest whole number.
Overall Score = (Listening + Reading + Speaking + Writing) ÷ 4
PTE Score Levels
| PTE Score | Level | CEFR | IELTS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86-90 | Expert | C2 | 8.5-9.0 |
| 76-85 | Advanced | C1/C2 | 7.5-8.5 |
| 65-75 | Proficient | B2/C1 | 6.5-7.5 |
| 58-64 | Upper Intermediate | B2 | 6.0-6.5 |
| 51-57 | Intermediate | B1/B2 | 5.5-6.0 |
| 43-50 | Upper Elementary | B1 | 5.0-5.5 |
| 30-42 | Elementary | A2/B1 | 4.0-5.0 |
| 10-29 | Beginner | A1/A2 | 2.5-4.0 |
Common PTE Score Requirements
| Purpose | Typical Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Australian Student Visa | 42-65 (depends on visa subclass) |
| Australian Permanent Residency | 65+ (for points-based skilled migration) |
| New Zealand Immigration | 50-65 (depends on visa type) |
| UK Universities | 51-63 (undergraduate), 57-69 (postgraduate) |
| US Universities | 45-65 (varies by institution) |
| Canadian Universities | 55-70 (varies by institution) |
| Professional Registration (e.g., Nursing) | 65+ (often with minimum scores in each skill) |
Advantages of PTE Academic
- Fast Results: Typically available within 48 hours
- Flexible Scheduling: Tests available throughout the year
- Computer-Based: Objective scoring reduces human bias
- Single Test Session: Complete in a single 3-hour session
- Unlimited Score Reports: Send scores to as many institutions as you like at no extra cost
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Frequently Asked Questions
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) is a computer-based English language test designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers who want to study abroad or for immigration purposes. It's recognized by thousands of academic institutions worldwide and by governments for visa applications, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, and increasingly in the UK, USA, and Canada.
The PTE Academic test is a computer-based exam lasting approximately 3 hours and consists of three main parts:
- Speaking & Writing (77-93 minutes): Includes personal introduction, reading aloud, describing images, re-telling lectures, essay writing, and more
- Reading (32-41 minutes): Multiple-choice questions, re-ordering paragraphs, fill in the blanks
- Listening (45-57 minutes): Summarizing spoken text, multiple-choice questions, fill in the blanks, highlight correct summary, and more
PTE Academic reports scores in two ways:
- Communicative Skills: These measure your overall ability to use English for communication and include Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. Your overall score is the average of these four scores.
- Enabling Skills: These measure specific linguistic abilities that contribute to your communicative skills and include Grammar, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation, Spelling, Vocabulary, and Written Discourse. These provide more detailed feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.
PTE Academic scores range from 10-90 points. All skills are scored by computer algorithms, which ensures consistent and unbiased results. Your overall score is the average of your four communicative skills scores (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing), rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, if your scores are Listening 64, Reading 68, Speaking 71, and Writing 63, your overall score would be (64 + 68 + 71 + 63) ÷ 4 = 66.5, which rounds to 67.
PTE Academic and IELTS are both English proficiency tests, but they differ in several ways:
- Format: PTE is entirely computer-based, while IELTS offers both computer-based and paper-based options
- Scoring: PTE scores range from 10-90, while IELTS uses a 0-9 band scale
- Results Timing: PTE results are typically available within 48 hours, while IELTS results take 13 days
- Speaking Test: In PTE, you speak into a microphone and are assessed by AI, while IELTS includes a face-to-face interview with an examiner
- Test Duration: PTE takes about 3 hours in a single session, while IELTS takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, with the speaking test potentially on a different day
Required PTE scores vary by institution and program. Generally, undergraduate programs typically require overall scores of 50-65, while postgraduate programs often require 58-70. However, more competitive or language-intensive programs may require scores of 65 or higher. Many institutions also specify minimum scores for each communicative skill. Always check the specific requirements of the institution and program you're applying to.
For Australian immigration through the points-based skilled migration system, you need a minimum PTE score of 65 in each communicative skill (equivalent to IELTS 7.0) to claim 10 points, or a minimum score of 79 in each skill (equivalent to IELTS 8.0) to claim 20 points. For the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), you need a minimum of 50 in each skill. For student visas, the requirements vary by education level and course, but typically range from a minimum of 42-65 across the four skills.
PTE Academic scores are valid for two years from the date of the test. After this period, your English proficiency is considered to have potentially changed, so institutions and immigration authorities typically require a recent test score. Keep in mind that some institutions or organizations may set their own validity periods that differ from the official two-year validity.
To improve your PTE score:
- Familiarize yourself with the test format and question types
- Practice with official PTE Academic preparation materials
- Focus on time management, as the test is strictly timed
- Expand your vocabulary, especially academic vocabulary
- Practice speaking clearly at a natural pace (not too fast or too slow)
- Work on your grammar and spelling
- Practice note-taking for listening sections
- Take practice tests to identify your weak areas
- Consider a PTE preparation course or working with a tutor
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